Twelve-year-old Ahmad and his brother, twenty-one-year-old AbdAllah both live with different severities of cerebral palsy but together, had wanted to build stronger connections with the world.
Prior to the pandemic, Ahmad was recovering from surgeries and wasn’t able to attend school or play with his friends and neighbourhood kids. It was significantly affecting his positive outlook. As the pandemic began to shut down businesses, schools and social activity, the brothers knew they would be facing greater challenges. Already feeling lonely and isolated, they felt that they needed a way to connect again.
On June 30, 2020, the brothers’ celebrated their new tech gear that allows them to connect to their friends and family! A parade was held in front of the family’s home where several cars drove by, honking in support and presenting them with their Shine Dream packages.
With the help of Shine and donors, Ahmad and AbdAllah received a technology package that included their very own iPads and laptops. These devices have provided them with a platform to attend school online and experience joy by connecting to their friends and family. This allowed them to stay creative, strengthened their confidence, and form long-lasting bonds. Ahmad shares that he’s able to maintain his social life with his friends through video games after his online classes, which makes him feel happy and included.
Their mother, Huma describes the impact that the new technology had on her sons during the pandemic:
“It was very difficult in the beginning, it still is. Now they have the ability to connect with their friends [...]. We could never have given them this gift. But your kindness changed our sons’ lives. We can never thank you enough.”
By fulfilling Dreams for young people, we are able to create positive and long-lasting experiences at a critical age in a young person's development to help them see a brighter, more hopeful future. With your continued support, we can fulfill more mental health-boosting dreams like Ahmad and AbdAllah’s.
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Photo: The Khan family with Shine supporters at the Shine presentation held on June 30, 2020.
